Manga Entertainment have released full details of their forthcoming release of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The first volume out on 13th September is priced £24.99 and will contain two DVDs with the first four episodes of the series, Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks and special features on one disc, and the same episodes with DTS soundtracks on the other. The press release also shows pack shots of the next three volumes in the series, each listing four more episode titles.

Thursday, August 05, 2004

Grave of the Fireflies press release
Optimum Asia have issue a press release for their forthcoming DVD release of the Studio Ghibli movie 'Grave of the Fireflies' which will be out on 23rd August. Here is the blurb:

ĎGRAVE OF THE FIREFLIESí 2 DISC EDITION
OUT TO OWN ON DVD FROM AUGUST 23RD
This moving animated film is set in Japan during World War II and follows
Seita and his little sister Setsuko as they struggle to survive after their
mother is killed in an air raid. With their father away serving in the
Japanese navy, the two children have only each other to depend on as they try
desperately to find food, shelter and the will to live at a time when even
their own relatives are too selfish to help them. Directed by Isao Takahata
and made by the studio that created Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies is a
visually stunning and emotionally powerful film that meditates on the
devastating consequences of war.
Catalogue No: OPTD0085
Barcode: 5060034571193
RRP: £19.99
Running Time: 88 mins approx
Disc 1
∑ Feature
∑ Language options, English or Japanese with subtitles
∑ Full Storyboards of feature
Disc 2
∑ Interview with Director Isao Takahata
∑ Japanese Release Promo - featuring interview with Director Isao
Takahata and writer Akiyuki Nosaka
∑ Isao Takahata Biography
∑ Akiyuki Nosaka Biography
∑ Bonus Storyboards
∑ DVNR Featurette - Video Restoration featurette
∑ Art Gallery
∑ US Trailer
∑ Japanese Trailer
∑ Interview with film critic Roger Ebert
∑ Historical Perspective documentary

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

ADV promise more box sets

ADV Films are currently keeping their future release schedule under wraps so they can announce it at the Amecon (http://www.amecon.org.uk) fan convention later this month. This explains why I only have up to September in the release schedule.

However, they have given me one tidbit that I can report: After the release of the Hellsing: The Collection box set in September, there will be two more box sets later in the year - Neon Genesis Evangelion: Perfect Collection and Generator Gawl: The Collection, all three with exclusive UK packaging.

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR HELLSING: THE COLLECTION LIMITED EDITION
THE COMPLETE GOTHIC ACTION-HORROR SERIES RISES FROM THE DEAD ONCE MORE ON 20TH
SEPTEMBER 2004
LONDON, UK, 23rd July 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 20th September
2004 release date for Hellsing: the Collection, the complete action-horror
anime. ADV Films is releasing Hellsing:The Collection as a limited edition
4-disc set with unique art & packaging.
A bloody blend of vampires, gunplay and Gothic England (thatís Gothic as in
Slimelight, not Byron), Hellsing was enthusiastically received by viewers
in Japan, the US, Australia, and the UK. Total DVD described it as "far
superior to the overrated Vampire Hunter D", top anime website Az:uKís
Jonathan Haylock called it "a classic in the making" and added "If ever an
anime should appeal to the UK fan, then this is the one", while SciFi
Channelís Jonathan Clements praised the animation, calling it "a vampire
anime with a refreshingly European look", benefiting from "a script that
recalls some of the better horror of recent years". Based on creator Kouta
Hiranoís popular manga of the same name, the series was produced by GONZO
Digimation (Blue Sub No. 6, Full Metal Panic!, Zaion and the upcoming Last
Exile).
Hellsing: The Collection (RRP £49.99) is a DVD-only release, including the
complete series of 13 episodes in both English and Japanese language
versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: music video, staff
interview, creditless endings, concept art collection and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 335m BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 20/09/04 Cat#: DHS/100
Format: DVD RRP: £49.99
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR MAZINKAISER VOL.1: TURBO SMASHING
SENSATION!
FIRST VOLUME OF OUTSTANDING RETRO-STYLED OVA TIE-IN TO CLASSIC MECHA SERIES
MAZINGER Z AVAILABLE FROM 20TH SEPTEMBER 2004
LONDON, UK, 23rd July 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 20th September 2004
release date for the first volume of the Mazinkaiser OVA series, the latest
tie-in to legendary director Go Nagaiís mecha classic Mazinger Z.
Nagai, an elder statesman in the world of anime and manga, is the renowned
creator of such anime touchstones as Getter Robo Grandizer, the Devilman
series, New Cutey Honey (also released by ADV this month) and The Devil Lady.
His Mazinger Z was the first-ever anime or manga robot piloted by a human
and the title is credited with launching the super-robot era of 1970s anime.
Mazinkaiser has since its 2001 release in Japan earned richly deserved kudos
as a stylish old-school update on the giant robot genre.
Mazinkaiser Vol.1: Turbo Smashing Sensation! (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only
release, including four complete 16:9 anamorphic widescreen episodes in both
English- and Japanese-language versions with English subtitles. Extras
include technical specs, original Japanese artwork, production sketches,
clean opening and closing animations, and ADV Previews.
Running Time: 100m BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 20/09/04 Cat#: DMK-001
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR GO NAGAIíS NEW CUTEY HONEY: COLLECTION 1
FIRST DISC OF UPDATED SEXY ACTION CLASSIC OUT 20th SEPTEMBER 2004
LONDON, UK, 23rd July 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 20th September
2004 release date for the DVD release of New Cutey Honey: Collection 1.
This first volume contains four complete episodes, and debuts complete &
uncut on region 2 DVD.
Legendary manga and anime creator Go (Mazinkaiser, The Devil Lady) Nagai
revisits here his classic 70s series Cutey Honey, now enjoying a further
revival in Japan courtesy of a live-action theatrical release adapted by
director Hideaki (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gunbuster) Anno. This 8-part
series picks up Honeyís story a decade after the end of the first series,
but takes a more mature approach to the storylines and visuals.
New Cutey Honey: Collection 1 (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, containing
four episodes in English and Japanese language versions, with English
subtitles. Extras include a live Press Conference, Phone Messages, a
Production Portfolio, a live Cosplay event, and ADV previews.
Running Time: 100m BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 20/09/04 Cat#: DC-001
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SLAYERS GORGEOUS
MOVIE TIE-IN TO FAN-FAVOURITE SLAYERS FANTASY-ADVENTURE SERIES AVAILABLE
20th SEPTEMBER 2004
LONDON, UK, 23rd July 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 20th September
2004 release date for Slayers: Gorgeous, the fourth movie tie-in (after
Slayers: the Motion Picture, Slayers Return and Slayers Great) to the fan-
favourite fantasy-adventure anime series Slayers.
Slayers: Gorgeous brings back odd couple Lina Inverse and the buxom Naga
the Serpent to entertain fans with more (mis) adventures that are equal
parts action and comedy. The movie is scripted by original novelist & manga
author Hajime Kanzaka (Lost Universe), and directed by Hiroshi Watanabe
(King of Bandit Jing, Orphen, the upcoming Detective Loki).
Slayers: Gorgeous (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release, letterboxed,
including both English and Japanese 2.0 versions, with English subtitles.
Extras include: Slayers trailers and ADV previews.
Running Time: 60m BBFC Classification: U
Street Date: 20/09/04 Cat#: DSL/005
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99

Monday, July 19, 2004

MVM add more future titles
MVM and Funimation are still busy aquiring new anime for release, with Trigun, Spiral, Gunslinger Girl and Tenchi Muyo OAV 3 now added to their list of future releases.

In other MVM news, the release of the Love Hina Christmas Special has been posponed until next year. This is because Bandai has insisted that the special not be released until after the regular series has finished.

To plug the resulting gap in ther release schedule, MVM have announced a Sailor Moon series one box set, which will be out on 4th October.

ADV FILMS TO RELEASE NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: DIRECTORS' CUT - GENESIS
REBORN
LONDON, UK, 2nd July 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 16th August 2004
release date for Genesis Reborn, the second of two Directors' Cut volumes of
the enormously influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The
Directors' Cut is not just a remaster, but a revised and re-edited special
edition produced under the careful supervision of creators Hideaki Anno and
Gainax to include amazing new footage never before available outside of Japan.
The second volume contains Evangelion episodes 24-26 in both the extended
Directors' Cut versions and the original broadcast versions, allowing fans
to see the creative progression of this seminal title's final moments.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Directors' Cut- Genesis Reborn (£19.99 RRP) includes
episodes 24-26 in both director's cut and original broadcast versions. In both
English 2.0-languange and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English
subtitles. Includes ADV previews, clean opening animation; clean closing
animation; and sneak preview of the live-action movie.
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: DIRECTOR'S' CUT - GENESIS REBORN
Running Time: 150m approx. BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 16/08/04 Cat#: DEV/DC2
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR AZUMANGA DAIOH VOL.1: ENTRANCE
LONDON, UK, 2nd July 2004 - ADV Films, the leading producer-distributor of
anime in the U.K., today formally announced a 16th August 2004 street date for
the first volume on DVD of Azumanga Daioh, an acclaimed anime series that
premiered in early 2002 in Japan.
Based on the popular Azumanga Daioh manga series (which has been released by
ADV Manga, and is available through import and specialist bookstores in the
UK) the manga's widespread popularity has often been attributed to its
unique design, with four-panel vertical strips giving it a distinctive and
appealing look that is easier to read for a western audience raised on similar
newspaper strips. To reflect the concept of the manga, each episode of the
Azumanga Daioh anime consists of several loosely related, character-driven
segments, many of which adapt creator Azuma's original strips. Produced by
Genco (Serial Experiments Lain) and JC Staff (Excel Saga), Azumanga Daioh
follows the day-to-day adventures of a comical group of high school girls and
their equally eccentric friends and teachers.
AZUMANGA DAIOH VOL.1: ENTRANCE (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release containing
five complete episodes. Includes both English-5.1 and Japanese-language
versions, with English subtitles. Extras include: clean opening and clean
closing animation; production sketches; ADV Previews, 12-page booklet with
translator notes, Japanese staff comments, and an art study on Chiyo.
Running Time: 125 minutes BBFC Rating: 12
Street Date: 16/08/04 Cat#: DAZ-001
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MOTION PICTURE
LONDON, UK, 2nd July 2004 - ADV Films today announced a release date of 16th
August 2004 for YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MOTION PICTURE, a DVD-only
feature-length anime accompanying the You're Under Arrest! anime series and
based on the manga by Kosuke Fujishima creator of Oh My Goddess!
A long-running and hugely successful international franchise, spanning manga,
OVAs, TV series, comedy shorts, and now a widescreen movie, You're Under
Arrest follows the adventures of mismatched lady cops Miyuki and Natsumi
working out of their Tokyo precinct. You're Under Arrest: The Motion Picture
places the safety of all Tokyo in the hands of our wild and wacky girls!
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MOTION PICTURE (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release
in letterboxed widescreen, with both English- and Japanese-2.0 soundtracks,
with English subtitles and ADV previews.
Running Time: 90 minutes BBFC Rating: PG
Street Date: 16/08/04 Cat#: DYA/002
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99

Thursday, July 08, 2004

Manga Entertainment gets back into gear
After the pause in activity caused by the sale of the company, I have received the first details of Manga Entertainments new release schedule. This consists of two new releases on 16th August:
Ghost Sweeper Mikami - A movie based on the manga by Takashi Shiina. English and Japanese soudtracks, 60 minutes, certificate PG, £15.99
AD Police - All three episodes of the original series on one DVD. English soundtrack, 180 minutes, certificate 18, £15.99.

Wednesday, June 30, 2004

MVM confirm July releases
MVM have confirmed their new releases for July. Out on the 5th will be:

Optimum expands
According to this report from DVD Times: http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=11751, Optimum Releasing have created a new label Optimum Asia to release asia films in the UK. The list of titles mentioned include the Studio Ghibli film 'Grave of the Fireflies'.

IDT already own the video company Anchor Bay, so Manga UK has become part of Anchor Bay UK. Unfortunately, this means all of Manga's current release plans have been put on hold while the transfer of the company takes place. Accordingly, none of the previously announced releases for the next few months are expected to go ahead.

MVM news
MVM have updated me with their planned release schedule for the next few months:

Amongst a general hyping up of the film, is included the fact that a UK release is planned for October this year.

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

ADV announce July releases
ADV Films have sent me their press releases for July. Confirmed for release on 19th July are Rune Soldier vol. 1: Enter The Klutz, Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase 3, Pretear vol. 3, King of Bandit Jing vol. 4, Slayers Great, and Queen Emeraldas. Here are the details for the new stuff:

ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR RUNE SOLDIER VOL.1: ENTER THE KLUTZ
FIRST VOLUME OF ROLLICKING FANTASY ADVENTURE-COMEDY OUT 19th JULY 2004
LONDON, UK, 1st June 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 19th July 2004 release
date for the DVD release of Rune Soldier vol.1: Enter the Klutz. This first
volume contains four complete episodes, and debuts complete & uncut on region
2 DVD.
The talented crew behind this animated version of the original manga by Ryo
Mizuno (RECORD OF LODOSS WAR) include writer Katsuhiko Chiba (Gundam Wing,
Outlaw Star, Inu Yasha), animator-turned-director Yoshitaka Koyama (Dirty Pair
Flash, Dragon Ball Z - the Movie 3), character designer Kazunori Iwakura
(Burn up Excess, Slayers Great), animation director Takashi Wada (the upcoming
Azumanga Daioh) and prolific composer Kenji Kawai (Dai-Guard, Zaion: I Wish
You Were Here, Ghost In The Shell, Patlabor and the Ring movies). The varied
humour will be appreciated as much by sitcom fans as role-playing aficionados,
running the gamut from verbal wit to slapstick.
Rune Soldier vol.1: Enter The Klutz (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release,
containing four episodes in English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 language versions,
with English subtitles. Extras include clean opening and closing animations,
and ADV previews.
Running Time: 100m approx. BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 19/07/04 Cat#: DLR/001
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SLAYERS GREAT
MOVIE TIE-IN TO FAN-FAVOURITE FANTASY-ADVENTURE SERIES OUT 19th JULY 2004
LONDON, UK, 1st June 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 19th July 2004 release
date for Slayers: Great, the third movie tie-in (after Slayers: the Motion
Picture and Slayers Return) to the fan-favourite fantasy-adventure anime
series Slayers.
Slayers: Great brings back odd couple Lina Inverse and the buxom Naga the
Serpent to entertain fans with more (mis)adventures that are equal parts
action and comedy. The movie is based on a manga by Hajime Kanzaka (Lost
Universe) and directed by Hiroshi Watanabe (King of Bandit Jing, Orphen).
Slayers: Great (RRP ¬£19.99) is a DVD-only release, letterboxed, including
both English and Japanese 2.0 versions, with English subtitles. Extras
include: Slayers trailers and ADV previews.
Running Time: 60m approx. BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 19/07/04 Cat#: DSL/004
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99
ADV FILMS ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR QUEEN EMERALDAS
COMPLETE SF ADVENTURE FROM INTERSTELLA 5555 CREATOR AVAILABLE 19th JULY 2004
LONDON, UK, 1st June 2004 - ADV Films today announced an 19th July 2004
release date for the DVD release of Queen Emeraldas, the complete tale of
space pirate Emeraldas from the universe of Leiji Matsumoto (Starblazers,
Galaxy Express 999, Space Pirate Captain Herlock: The Endless Odyssey,
Interstella 5555).
The production of this tale reflects the story - traditional animation is
mixed with modern CGI in the same way that Matsumoto's classic universe and
old-fashioned values are combined with a brand new adventure and story-telling
techniques.
Queen Emeraldas (RRP £15.99) is a DVD-only release, containing the both
episodes in English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 language versions, with English
subtitles. Extras include character profiles, a Scene Slide Show, and ADV
previews.
Running Time: 60m approx. BBFC Classification: PG
Street Date: 19/07/04 Cat#: DVDQE/001
Format: DVD RRP: £15.99

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

June releases from ADV Films
ADV films have sent me the press release for their June releases. Of foremost interest is the first volume of Neon Genesis Evangelion: Directors' Cut. Here is the blurb:

LONDON, UK, 17th May 2004 - ADV Films today announced a 21st June 2004
release date for Resurrection, the first of two Directors' Cut volumes of the
enormously influential anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The Directors'
Cut is not just a remaster, but a revised and re-edited special edition
produced under the careful supervision of creators Hideaki Anno and Gainax to
include amazing new footage never before available outside of Japan. The
first volume contains Evangelion episodes 21-23 in both the extended
Directors' Cut versions and the original broadcast versions, allowing fans to
see the creative progression of this seminal title's final moments.
In addition to the Directors' Cut episodes, ADV has obtained special DVD
extras that are sure to fuel the excitement for this highly anticipated
release. Resurrection will include an exclusive 25-minute interview with
Richard Taylor, co-founder and head of Effects and Creatures, and designer
Ben Wooton, from Weta Workshop, the multiple Academy Award-winning (for The
Lord of the Rings Trilogy) special effects studio currently working on the
Neon Genesis Evangelion live-action feature. Also included are numerous
never-before-seen production images from the theatrical release.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Directors' Cut-Resurrection (£19.99 RRP) includes
episodes 21-23 in both director's cut and original broadcast versions. In
both English 2.0-languange and Japanese 2.0-language versions, with English
subtitles. Extras include clean opening & closing animations, the exclusive
behind-the-scenes preview of the Evangelion live-action film with WETA
Workshop, and ADV previews.
Running Time: 150m approx. BBFC Classification: 12
Street Date: 21/06/04 Cat#: DEV/DC1
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99

More new titles from ADV scheduled
In a telephone conversation this morning, ADV Films have confirmed release dates for three new titles in the UK. Evangelion: Directors Cut will be released on 21st June, and Rune Soldier volume 1 and Queen Esmeraldas will be release on 19th July.

ADV Films May press releases
ADV Films have sent me their press releases for May. COnfirmed for release on 17th May are Samurai X: The Collection, You're Under Arrest: The Mini-Specials, Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase Two, Pretear volume 2, King of Bandit Jing volume 3, and Noir volume 7. Here is the full text for the new stuff:

ADV ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR SAMURAI X: THE COLLECTION
THE COMPLETE SAGA OF RUROUNI KENSHIN IN FOUR DISCS - A UK EXCLUSIVE!
LONDON, UK, 16th April 2004 - ADV Films today announced the 17th May 2004
release of Samurai X: The Collection, the complete set of OVA and
motion-picture releases that encompass the story of the lethal and mysterious
samurai warrior Rurouni Kenshin.
The thrilling story arc of Kenshin's troubled life includes the DVD releases
Samurai X: Trust, Samurai X: Betrayal, Samurai X: The Motion Picture and
Samurai X: Reflection. Together, these tell the saga of Kenshin from his
blood-soaked origins, to his career as the Hitokiri Battousai, to his life as
a wanderer seeking redemption, finally returning home. For the first time
anywhere, all four stories are available together in one unique package.
Samurai X: The Collection (RRP £49.99) is a DVD-only release, featuring 4
discs, all including both English- and Japanese language versions, and English
subtitles. Extras across the four discs include historical background notes,
character profiles, screenwriter notes, clean closing animation, production
sketches and interviews with the original Japanese voice cast and ADV
Previews.
Running Time: 300 minutes approx. BBFC Classification: 15
Street Date: 17/05/04 Cat#: DSX/100
Format: DVD RRP: £49.99
ADV FILMS SETS RELEASE DATE FOR YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MINI-SPECIALS
FAN-FAVOURITE COMEDY COP SERIES SPIN-OFFS AVAILABLE 17TH MAY 2004
LONDON, UK, 16th April 2004 - ADV Films today announced a release date of 17th
May 2004 for YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MINI-SPECIALS, the series of comic
spin-offs from long-running comedy cop series You're Under Arrest.
A long-running and hugely successful international franchise, spanning manga,
OVAs, TV series and now comedy shorts, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST follows the
adventures of mismatched lady cops Miyuki and Natsumi working out of their
Tokyo precinct. THE MINI-SPECIALS are a series of sketches allowing the
characters more room outside of the tv plots, and letting us all have a laugh,
as much at their expense as those of the hapless criminals they deal with!
The mean streets of Tokyo are that much safer when the ladies of Bokuto Police
Station are on patrol! When the fun-loving and free-wheeling Natsumi teams up
with the mechanical wizard Miyuki, criminals don't stand a chance. From
booby-trapped handbags to exhibitionists from beyond the grave to geriatric
gearheads, you'll be rolling on the floor with laughter at these 20
mini-episodes. Will they be able to protect their undergarments and co-workers
from the depredations of an army of Tokyo's oversexed peeping Toms? Can
Natsumi's finances hold out until her next paycheck clears? Chaos ensues and
neither speeders nor sneaks stand a chance as Miyuki and Natsumi show that
crime doesn't pay!
YOU'RE UNDER ARREST: THE MINI-SPECIALS (RRP £19.99) is a DVD-only release
including 20 mini-episodes. The DVD offers both English- and Japanese-language
versions, with English subtitles, and ADV previews.
Running Time: 150 minutes BBFC Rating: 15
Street Date: 17/05/04 Cat#: DYA/001
Format: DVD RRP: £19.99

Friday, April 16, 2004

MVM news
MVM have made a few changes to their current release schedule, mostly in order to keep up with their Australian counterparts:

The May releases have been put back a week to 10th May, and will now include Armitage III - Polymatrix.

The first volume of Kiddy Grade will now be release on 7th June. Further volumes will follow monthly.

Psycho Diver Soul Siren and Golgo 13: Queen Bee have swapped places, now due on 7th June and 5th July respectively.